Most women are capable of conception from their early teens, into their late 40’s. Birth control makes planning your family possible, both in the size of your family and the spacing of your children. The pill is the most popular form of birth control. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research found that 50 percent of the women they surveyed did not know that the pill provides benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. It has come a long way from the original version created over 40 years ago. The benefits include the decrease risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, colorectal cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, osteoporosis and benign ovarian cysts. In fact the pill is recommended for women experiencing the discomfort of perinenopause. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration states that out of 100 couples a year who rely on either the pill, injections, implants, IUD’s or sterilization only 5 will have an accidental pregnancy. Out of 100 couples depending on condoms or diaphragms in 1 year 14 to 20 will have an unwanted pregnancy. Even less effective were the natural planning method, spermicides alone, and the female condom. Over a lifetime many men and women find they have used a number of different types of birth control. Discuss with your doctor which method of birth control is right for you at this stage of your life.